Control mechanism for molding presses



Feb. 25, 1947. Q ROEHRl 2,416,406

CONTROL MECHANISM FOR MOLDING PRESSES Feb. 25, 1947. c. Rdf-:HRI 2,416,406

I CONTROL MECHANISM FOR MOLDING PRESSES Filed March 9, v194,4 2 sheets-sheet 2 Will-9g IVI/ll.

s-s of Fig. 2.

UNITED STATES. PATENT oFI-TCE CONTROL MECHANISM FOR MOLDING PRESSES Y fe Carl Roehri, Qhcago, Ill. Application March 9, 1944, Serial No. y525,655

The present invention relates to control meansv for the actuation of injection molding presses and like mechanisms. f the invention is to provide a novel means for The principal purpose of opening and'closing the die members of a molding press wherein the die members are locked in closed position in such fashion as to free the operating mechanism therefor of all strains once the closing is completed. The locking mechanism is such as to automatically effect the locking and unlocking of a die member without additional travel necessary on the part of the opening and closing mechanism.

It is a further purpose of this invention to provide a novel locking means for locking die members in closed position.

The features and advantages of the present invention will appear more fully as the description proceeds, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein a preferred form of rthe invention is shown. It is to be understood however that the drawings and description are illustrative only and are not to be taken as limiting the invention except insofar as it is limited by the claims.

In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation with cerv--=tain parts in section of an injection molding deyvice embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a view like Fig. 1 but showing a changed position of the parts; f

Figs. 3, 4 and 5 are fragmentary sectional detail views taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. '1, illustrating .the actuation .of the locking means for Vthe die members from locked position to unlocked position;

' Fig. 6 is an end view looking at the lefthand end of Fig. 1 showing the parts in the same position as in Fig. 1;

Fig. '7 is an end View like Fig. 6 but showing the parts in the same position as in Fig. 2;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view illustrating the detalls of the locking mechanism; -Vj and I Fig.. 9 is a sectional view taken on the line ""Referring nowin detail to the drawings, the

....present invention 'discloses my locking device in connectionwlth an injection molding press. wherein the press has a xed mounting plate I3 Vf-,carrying a xed .die member II. The plate I0 @carries four sleeves I2 which mount aplurality of guide bars I3. The guide bars receive a plu- ;raiity o: sleeve bearings I4 which support a plate l that serves to 'mount a movable die mem 11 claims. (ci. 18-1'6) bearing 20 at the base of the cylinder I9. The

base of the cylinder I9 is a part of a fixed mounting plate 2l that is secured to the ends of the bars I3.

On the plate 2.I there is fixed an undercut ring 22 which is concentric with the piston rod I1 and which serves to rotatably mount a 1ock plate 23. The xedl mounting plate 2l has four Iholes 24 therein (see Fig, 6) and the locking plate 23 has a .corresponding series of holes 25 of the same size as the holes 24. The openings 25 and 24 are adapted, when aligned with each other, to receive four locking pins 26 that are mounted on the plate I5. The pins 26 are of such length that when the die members .are separated, as indicated in Fig. l, by the piston I8 being forced toits extreme lefthand position the pins eX- tend through the lock plate 23 and into the open- ,ingS 24 of the mounting plate 2|, but when .the

ldie members are both together, as shown in Fig. ,2, the free ends of the pins 26 are spaced= The means for supplying fluid under pressureV to the cylinders I9 and 30 comprises a control valve 34 having an inlet 35 adapted to be connected to a suitable source of fluid under pressure and an outlet 36 for discharging spent iluid. A conduit 31 leads from the control valve 34 to the cylinder 30 and another vconduit 38 leads from the control valve 34 to the cylinder I3. Two interconnecting conduitsv 39 and 4.0 connect, the ends of the cylinders I9 and 35 so that fluid can pass from one cylinder to the other and. thus both cylinders may be supplied with a fluid under pressure or emptied of the spent fluid by the .two .conduits leading to the valve. The valve is a fourway valve adapted to occupy the two g positions shown in Figs.

the conduit 38 is connected to the i the conduit31 is connected to the outlet 36.

tion shown in Fig. l the conduit 31 is connected to the inlet 35 and the conduit 38 is connected to the outlet 3.5. In the position shown in Fig. 2 inlet 35 while l Referring` now to Fig. 8, the means for locking the die members in closed position so that .the j pressure is taken directly by the plate 2l instead 1 and 2. In the posi-V pin to pass throughv an opening 44 in thev plate 43. The pinr4| is normally biased to the position shown in Fig. 8 by a plunger 45 that is mounted in a recess 46 of the plate 43. A spring 41 in the recess 46 urges the plunger 4,5 outwardly against the thead 42 of the pin 4| so as to tio it to the position shown in Fig. 8. The plate 43 is' cut out as shown above the hole 35 in the plate 23.

In the operation of the injection molding press the parts are retracted into the position shown in Figs. l and 6. This is accomplished by pressure supplied from main pressure line 35 with the valve 34 manipulated into position as indicated in Figi, thereby causing pressure to pass through the pressure line 31 into the cylinder 30 exerting force upon the piston 3I moving it into position as` i shown. This motion being transmitted through the piston rod 29 causes the lock plate 23 to turn on the lock plate bearing 22, thereby forcing the I swiveled pins 4| out of engagement with the lock pins 26. as indicated in Fig. 5. Through continued holding of the valve 34 in the position shown in Fig. 1 additional pressure fluid is fed into I the cylinder 3|), but because the p"stonY 29 is al-v ready in its end position this fluid will by-pass. through the line 39 into the cylinder I9 causing the piston I8 to move to its end position as shown,

thereby exerting force through the piston rod I1 upon the slide assembly plate I5 which is mounted by the bearings I4 and which carries the die member I6. Hydraulic uid which was presentjin thev cylinders I9 and 39 and in the pressure lines 38 and 4B has been forced through the valve 34 into.

the outlet 36. Meanwhile ther clearance holes 24 in the stationary mounting plate 2| have been l exposed by the rotation of the lock plate 23 through the clearance holes 25 in the latter to permit the lock pins 26 to move into the position shown in Figs. 1 and 5.y

Figs. 2 and 7 show the press in a "closed posiline 35 `with the valve 34 manipulated into posi- 1 tion as' indicated in Fig. 2,.therebyk causing pres- Y sure to pass through the pressure line 38 into the cylinder I9 exerting force upon the Vpiston I8 lmoving it'from the position shown in Fig. 1 to zthat shown in Fig. 2. This moves the plate I5 and the die member I6 into the position shown in Fig V2 where the die member I6 is ininjection `relationshipwith the Vdie member II mounted on the stationary mounting plate I D. With the valve A134 in the position shown in Fig. 2, additional pressure uid is Vfed through the pressure line 38 into, lthe cylinder I9, but because the piston YI8 is all `ready in its end position this pressure fluid will by-pass through the pressure line 4D into the cyl- `inder 30, causing the piston-3| to move down tor the position shown in Fig. 2. This motion is trans- `mitted through the piston rod 29 to the lock plate tion with the mechanism locked. This is accom- Y plished 'by pressure supplied Vfrom main pressure 23 Ycausing it to turn and thereby forcing the Apins Y 4| into engagement with the lock pins 26 as indicated in Fig.'3, the pins 4I being directed towards theengagement with the lock pins 26 by the springl Y pressed. plungers'41. Hydraulic uid which was lresent in the cylinders I9 and 30 and in the pres sure ,lines 31 and 39 has'been forced through the; `vali/cintoY the outlet. Y.

The mechanism is now closed and locked and the material to be molded is injected into the die, after which the operation rst described may be repeated by actuation of the valve 34. The actuation of the valve 34 may be accomplished manually or by a suitable coontrol mechanism.

From the foregoing description it is believed that the nature of the present invention and the advantages thereof will be clear to those skilled in this art.

vHaving thus described my invention, what I 'claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: Y

1. Actuating and locking mechanism for the movable die member of an injection molding press, comprising a mounting plate, a lock plate rotatably mounted thereon, a die carrier mounted to move perpendicular to the lock plate between a die closing position remote from the Vplates and a retracted position closefo the plates,

lock pins projecting toward the plates from said die carrier. said plates having holes therein for receiving the lock pins whenthe carrier is moved toward the plates, and 'saidlockplate having" swiveled pins thereon movable, by rotation of said.A lock plate and engagement with the ends of the g lock pins, into axial alignment and endwise en-lv gagement with the lock pins when the die carrier is in its die closing position.

2. Actuating and locking mechanism for the.;

movable .die member of an injection molding press, comprising a mounting plate, a lockV plate"V rotatably mounted thereon, a die carrier mounted to move perpendicular to the lock plate between a die closing position remote fromthej plates and.

a retracted position close to the plates, lock pins projecting toward the plates from said die carrier,` and said lock plate having swiveled pinsthereon.'VV movable, by rotation of said lock plate and en-. A gag'ement with the ends of the lock pins, into axial alignment and endwise engagement with. its die clos.v

the lock pins when the die' carrier is in ing position.

3. Actuating and locking mechanism for the movable die member of an injection molding press, comprising a mounting plate, a lock plate rotatably mounted thereon, a die carrier mounted to move perpendicular to the lock plate betweenv a die closing position remote from the plates and a retracted position close to the plates, lock pins .4 projecting toward the plates from said die carrier, means to move said die member comprising aV cylinder on the side of themounting plate opposite the die carrier, a piston in said cylinder, and'.

a piston rod projecting from the piston through the mounting plate and fixed to said die carrier,V

and said lock plate having swiveled pins thereon movable, by rotation of saidlock plate andengagement with the ends of thelock pins, into axial alignment and endwise engagement with the lock pins Vwhen the die carrieris in itsV die closing position. Y

4. Actuating and locking mechanism for the; movable die member of an injection molding" press, comprising amounting plate, a lock plate rotatably mounted thereoma die carrier mounted tomo-ve perpendicular to the lock plate between a die closing position remote from the plates and aLretracted position close to the plates, lock'pins f projecting towardA the platesfrom said die' carrier,` means to, move said die member'co'mprising' aj cylinder on theside 'of the mounting plate pp site the die carrier, a piston in said cylinder, and "i a`piston rod projecting -fro'm' the the'rnounting plate and xedto'saiddie carrier,`

piston through' gemene said plates having holes therein for receiving the lock pins when the carrier is moved towardqthe plates, and Asaid lock plate having swiveled pins thereon movable, by rotation of said lock plate andiengagement lwith the ends of the lock pins, into axial alignment and endwise engagement with the lock pins when the die carrier is in its die' closing position. g,

' S5. Actuating means for the movable die member of an injection molding press, comprising a" cylinder, a- -piston therein connected to the movable die member and operable to move the die member from open to closed position and from closed-to open position, lock pins fixed with-respect to the die member, a second cylinder interconnected with the rst namedcylinder, a piston therein, valve means operable selectively to'direct fluid under pressure to the opposite ends of said cylinders, a lock plate, means mounting said plate for? movement in a plane perpendicular to the direction of movement of said die member, means connecting said lock plate to the piston of said second named cylinder, the lock plate and its mounting means having lock pin receiving holes therein aligned when the piston in said second named cylinder is in one limiting position, and said lock plate having tiltable projecting means thereon operable by return movement of the lock plate to engage the ends of the said lock pins after the piston of the iirst named cylinder ad vances the die member to closed position.

6. Actuating and locking mechanism for the movable die member of an injection molding press, comprising a mounting plate, a lock plate rotatably mounted thereon, a die carrier mounted to move perpendicular to the lock plate between a die closing position remote from the plates and a retracted position close to the plates, lock pins projecting toward the plates from said die carrier, means to move said die member and locking plate in timed relation, comprising two cylinders on said mounting plate, one of said cylinders having a. piston therein connected with the die carrier, the other cylinder having a. piston therein connected with the lock plate, pressure fluid connec. tions to the ends of the two cylinders, and a valve operable to direct pressure iiuid to either end of the cylinders and said lock plate having swiveled pins thereon movable, by rotation of said lock plate and engagement with the ends of the lock pins, into axial alignment and endwise engagement with the lock pins when the die carrier is in its die closing position.

'7. Actuating and locking mechanism for the movable die mem-ber of an injection molding press, comprising a mounting plate, a lock plate rotatably mounted thereon, a die carrier mounted 'to move perpendicular to the lock plate between a die closing position remote from the plates and a retracted position close to the plates, lock pins' projecting toward the plates from said die carrier, means to move said die member and locking plate in timed relation, comprising two cylinders on said mounting plate, one of said cylinders having a piston therein connected with the die carrier, the other cylinder having a piston therein connected with the lock plate, pressure fluid connections to the ends of the two cylinders, anda valve operable to direct pressure uid to either end of the cylinders, said plates having holes therein for receiving the lock pins when the carrier is moved toward the plates, and said lock platehaving swiveled pins thereon movable, by rotation of said lock plate and engagement with the ends of the lock pins, into axial alignment and endwise'engagement with thelock pins when the die carrier is in its die closing position.

8. Combination actuating yand locking means for movable die carriers utilizing iluid under pressure for movement `or the die carrier :and rigid means for holding the die carrier in load-receiving position, said means comprisinga die carrier, means mounting the die carrier for reciprocatory movement between a retracted position and loadreceiving position, lock pins projecting from said carrier inthe direction of retractive movement, .a mounting plate having holes therein adaptedtoreceive thev lock pins when the die carrier is `moved to retracted position, apiston rod iixed tothe die carrier, a piston thereon, a cylinder .for said piston having a pressure fluid receiving and exhaust--` ing inlet at each end, a lock plate journaled for rotation on the mounting plate in a plane perpendicular to the direction of movement of the die carrier, saidlocking platehaving lock pin holes adapted in one limiting position of the plate toalign with the lock pin holes in the mounting plate, a piston rod operatively connected to the lock vplate to effect rotative movement thereof between two limiting positions, a piston on said rod, a cylinder for the piston having a fluid pressure receiving and exhausting inlet at each end, and projecting lock means on said lock plate normally inclined to the aXis of said pins and movable. upon rotation of the lock plate from the position where the holes therein align with those in the mounting plate to its other limiting position, into aligned endwise abutting relationship with said lock pins whereby to back up the die carrier in load receiving position, the end of the iirst named cylinder to which fluid enters to advancethe die carrier to load-receiving position being connected by a conduit to the end of the other cylinder to which fluid enters to turn the lock plate to the position where its lock means is in endwise abutting relationship with the lock pins, and a conduit interconnecting the opposite ends of said cylinders.

9. Actuating and locking mechanism lfor the movable die member of an injection molding Y press, comprising a mounting member, a carrier for the movable die, means xed to said mounting member for guiding the die carrier in a straight line toward and away from the mounting Y member, a lock plate mounted for movement perpendicular to the movement of the die carrier, lock pins projecting toward the lock plate from said die carrier, said lock plate having swivel pins thereon movable by movement of said lockv plate into engagement with the ends of the lock` pins on the die carrier, said lock plate being movable further upon engagement of the swivel pins With the ends of the lock pins to axially align the swivel pins and lock pins when the die carrier is in its die closing position. n K,

' 10. Actuating and locking mechanism for the movable die member of an injection molding.

comprising a mounting member, a carrier xed to said mounting press, for the movable die, means member for guiding the die carrierin a straight line' toward and away from the mounting member. a lock plate mounted for movement in a plane perpendicular to the direction of movement of said die carrier between two alternative positions, lock pins projecting toward the lock plate from said die carrier, and means on said plate movable into engagement with the ends of said lock pins upon movement of said plate from one of said alternative positions toward the other alternative position thereof and movable from an angular position relative to'said pins into axial alignment therewith upon completion of movement of said plate into said other position.

11. Actuating and locking mechanism for the movable die member of an injection molding press,. comprising a mounting plate, a lock plate rotatably mounted thereon, a die Acarrier mounted to move in a direction perpendicular to the lock plate between a die closing position remote from the lplates and a retracted position close to the plates, lock pins projecting toward the plates from said die carrier, means to move said die member and locking plate in timed relation, vcomprising two cylinders on said mounting/plate, one of `said cylinders having a piston therein connected with the 'die carrier, the other cylinder having a piston therein connected with the lock plate, a pressure fluid supply line, a control valve having two alternative positions, and pressure uid conduits extending between said valve and one end of each of said cylinders a conduit extending fromY each of said cylinders to the endof the other cylinderopposite that to which the conduit from said valve extends and to supply pressure uid from said supply vline directly to said die Ycarrier cylinder and from said die carrier cylinder to said lock plate cylinder for one position of said valve and from said supply line directly to said lock plateA die carrier cylinder for the other valve.

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name s Date `1,466,490 Swenson Aug. 28, 19231v Lehmann Jan. 6, 1942 CARL YROEHRI.

Certificate of Correction Patent No. 2,416,406. February 25, 1947 CARL ROEHRI lt is hereby oertied that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Column 8, line 3, claim 11, after the Word extends strike out and and insert the same in column 7, line 21, same claim, after oylinders; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this rireotion therein that the same may conform to the record of the oase in the Patent Signed and sealed this 6th day of Mey, A. D. 1947.

LESLE FRAZER,

First Assistant Gommzssz'oner of Patents. 

